Aardman Features are to sign a deal with Sony, while a new Wallace and Gromit adventure is on the way.

Having recently severed ties with DreamWorks, those lovable fellows at Aardman Features have announced plans to enter into a three-year, first-look deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The arrangement will unite Aardman's animation expertise with Sony's global production, marketing and distribution operation, and Head of Aardman Features Stephen Moore said he couldn't be happier about the move.

'Over the past 18 months we have worked hard to create a new vision for Aardman Features' he explained. 'This includes an expanded development slate, increased production and plans to introduce technical capabilities at our facility in Bristol.

'This agreement with Sony is very much at the heart of our new vision as they passionately support both Aardman's existing core creative values and enthusiastically support our creative ambitions for the future.'

But what does this mean in terms of films? Well, we're assured that Aardman's future slate will be announced very soon, but for now the exciting news is that Nick Park is currently writing a new adventure for Wallace and Gromit. It's not clear at this time whether the story will be for a feature film or a TV special, but when Park decides, we'll post the news here.

As Katie is Aardman staff I'm sure she'll know better than us! Dave Sproxton may have said that on Youtube, but who knows when it was filmed! Remember they always aimed for a short, planning to turn it into a feature film if the story was big enough.